2019 Conference on International Law

May 3, 2019

Thursday 30 May 2019

18:00 | WELCOME DINNER

Restaurante ACHA Boulevard Roberto Motta, Edif. Capital Plaza, PB – Costa del Este – Panamá. ACHA is an elegant and modern restaurant offering High Spanish Basque Cuisine while still adapting to the tastes of today. They focus on traditional Spanish recipes including seafood, fish, meat, and pasta, delicately prepared with an explosion of tastes and authentic aromas. ACHA is a 5-minute walk from Westin Hotel. Attire is casual for this evening.

If you are interested in joining this dinner, please note your interest during registration. Attendees will order from the menu and will pay for their own at the end of the evening.

Friday 31 May 2019

7:30-8:30 | BREAKFAST AND REGISTRATION

8:30-8:45 | OPENING REMARKS

Carlos Osorio, Chairman of The International Law Section of The Florida Bar

8:45-10:00 | PANEL ON COMPARATIVE TAX LAW

About the speakers:

Jeffrey S. Hagen
Harper Meyer, USA

Mr. Hagen concentrates his practice in the area of tax law, with an emphasis on international, corporate and estate planning matters. A primary focus of his practice is ensuring the viability and effectiveness of complex domestic and international transactions, including analyzing those transactions for potential corporate inversions. Mr. Hagen is the Chair of the Tax Committee of the International Law Section of the Florida Bar.

Andres Gonzalez Cruz
Supreme Court, Colombia

Mr. Gonzalez is a clerk at the Colombian Supreme Court. He has more than seven years of experience working in the Colombian judicial branch, in law firms and as assistance professor in tax law, international tax law and corporate law in several universities in Colombia.

Mauricio Orellana Caballero
Garcia & Bodan, El Salvador

Mr. Orellana is Senior Associate and Director of the Tax practice area of García & Bodán in El Salvador. He has more than 15 years of experience in Tax Law, during which he has practiced it from different fields, which allows him to have a holistic approach of Tax Law. Currently, his practice focuses in providing legal advice on tax matters to multinational companies, in order to provide efficient alternatives in their investments in the country, as well as to deliver strategies on fiscal defense regarding internal taxes, transfer prices and Customs issues.

10:00-10:15 | COFFEE BREAK

10:15-11:30 | PANEL ON COMPARATIVE MARITIME LAW

About the speakers:

Francisco Linares
Morgan & Morgan, Panama

Mr. Linares’ career includes over 20 years of experience in all aspects of maritime dispute resolution and claims at the Maritime Courts of Panama, dealing with collisions, cargo claims, oil spills and pollution, charter party disputes, personal injury, maritime liens, marine insurance claims, ship mortgage executions, among others. He is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Panamanian Maritime Law Association.

Carlos J. Chardon
Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, USA

Mr. Chardon has extensive litigation experience in state and federal court, including managing multi-million dollar complex claims, from pre-suit to trial and arbitration He represents hotels, physicians and medical providers, major cruise lines, product manufacturers and distributors, international businesses, transportation companies, and underwriters, including major marine domestic and international underwriters. He focuses his practice on the areas of personal injury defense, medical malpractice defense, hospitality law, admiralty and maritime claims, product liability, and complex commercial litigation.

Victor Carrion
Apolo Law Firm, Ecuador

Mr. Carrion is responsible for the maritime, shipping, admiralty, insurance and P&I areas. He advised and represented on disputes over chapter parties, bills of lading, international and domestic sales, marine and commercial insurance, cargo claims, ship arrests, collisions, salvage, marine pollution, among others. Victor currently handles the firm’s relations with its international correspondents.

11:30-13:00 | KEYNOTE LUNCHEON

13:00-14:15 | PANEL ON COMPARATIVE LITIGATION AND ARBITRATION LAW

Moderator: Gilbert Squires, SquiresBenson, USA

About the speakers:

Carlos Osorio
Harper Meyer, USA

Mr. Osorio is a partner at Harper Meyer Perez Hagen Albert Dribin DeLuca & Osorio, LLP. and had been a partner at another Miami international law boutique for close to a decade, working closely with fellow practitioners in the “private client” world. He has earned an advanced specialization from The Florida Bar in international law and presently serves as Chairman of The International Law Section of The Florida Bar.

Jose Carrizo
Morgan & Morgan, Panama

Mr. Carrizo heads the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department of Morgan & Morgan leading a team that advises clients extensively in the area of commercial litigation, corporate dispute resolution and criminal law. Mr. Carrizo has been involved in complex matters, especially in the fields of civil, criminal, administrative, commercial, banking, insolvency and insurance law. In the course of more than 20 years of practice, Mr. Carrizo has substantial expertise in both domestic and international arbitration processes.

Rafael Ribeiro
Hogan Lovells, USA

Mr. Ribeiro has significant experience conducting international internal investigations and representing clients in cross-border disputes. He currently is part of the senior team of Hogan Lovells lawyers conducting two of the largest anti-corruption investigations in Latin America, focusing on allegations of corruption in the energy sector.

Christian Diaz
Garcia & Bodan, Costa Rica

Mr. Diaz is Managing Partner at Garcia & Bodan Costa Rica. Mr. Garcia has developed his practice in corporate law, international investment, real estate law, construction law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution (mediation, dispute boards and arbitration). He is a mediator and arbitrator in the main Arbitration Centers in Costa Rica with more than 14 years of experience as a neutral; and is usually invited as speaker in International Arbitration Conferences.

14:15-15:00 | COFFEE BREAK

15:00-16:15 | PANEL ON COMPARATIVE CORPORATE LAW

About the speakers:

James M. Meyer
Harper Meyer, USA

Mr. Meyer concentrates his practice on the representation of U.S. and Latin American-based multinational corporations, financial institutions, manufacturers, franchisors, family offices and private high net worth clients in general corporate matters, commercial transactions, cross-border leasing, financing, sales and acquisitions of capital equipment, including aircraft and yachts.

Laura Barrios
Morgan & Morgan, Panama

Ms. Barrios is considered one of Panama ́s most knowledgeable tax treaty and CRS and FATCA reporting expert. She has been an advisor to the Panamanian Government in tax treaties negotiations and in the implementation of fiscal and transparency regulations and policies that favor Panama ́s jurisdiction. Prior to becoming an attorney at Morgan & Morgan, Ms. Barrios worked as Senior Consultant in an international consulting firm specializing in audit, tax, financial and accounting services.

Melvin Estrada Canizales
Garcia & Bodan, Nicaragua

Mr. Estrada is Partner of Garcia & Bodan and Regional Director of the Tax practice of the firm. He is recognized as one of main academics and practitioners of Tax Law in Nicaragua, with a deep knowledge of general tax legislation, that has allowed him to successfully advice and represent both national and foreign companies before the Tax Administration and Custom Service of Nicaragua. His practice concentrates in strategy and tax planning, elaboration of tax opinions, negotiations with tax authorities, representation in administrative and judicial procedures for the tax payer, as well his participation in interest groups for the analysis of legislation and proposed amendments to the tax laws of the country.